Piano key actions



March 16, 1965 I E. R. CAMILLUCCI 3,

PIANO KEY ACTIONS Filed June 22, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY March 16, 1965 E. R. CAMILLUCCI PIANO KEY ACTIONS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 22, 1962 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent f 3,173,329 PIANO KEY ACTIONS Edward R. Carnillucci, 222 7th St, Garden City, Filed June 22, 1962, Ser. No. 204,573

23 Claims. (Cl. 84-434) This invention relates to piano key actions and more particularly to key actuated musical instruments and actions therefor, which have a wide range of usefulness.

Various types of piano key actions have heretofore been proposed, but these have had various limitations, particularly with respect to quality of touch and freedom of action, as Well as high production costs.

It is the principal action of the present invention to provide a key action which within a restricted space makes possible a quality of control which has not heretofore been considered possible, wherein the force required to depress a given key is as uniform as possible, and wherein the action is that expected on a concert grand type of piano. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system including a key in which the key has an available length for operation and which is so mounted and controlled that the movement simulates that of an extended key.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system including a piano key action in which the key has an available length of operation and which is so mounted and controlled that the movement simulates that of an extended key pivoted at a desired length.

it is a further object of the present invention to provide a system as aforesaid with an improved key actuated member.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system including a piano key action and key actuated member together with sound producing means controlled by the operation of the member.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system including a piano key and a structure for the separation thereof for various purposes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system including a piano key and a key actuated member with structure for selective shifting for transposition.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a key action for musical instruments which in one embodiment is suited for a practice keyboard, in another embodiment is useful in connection with electric organs, and in another embodiment is useful in pianos and the like for the transposition from one key to another key in a simple but effective manner.

it is a further object of the present invention to provide a key action in which the force required for operation, and the reaction of the user may be preselected and determined to coorespond to those found in a concert grand type of piano. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a key action system for musical instruments, particularly pianos, which is of inherently compact character thereby avoiding waste space and permitting improved design of the entire instrument.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a key action which is particularly suitable as a switch operator in electric organs, and in which the effect of a concert grand piano action is included.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a piano key action in which a relatively small amount of space is required, but in which the effect of an infinite length of key or key actuator is obtained.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a piano key action of inherent physical dimensions so that it is suitable for use for practice keyboards, for drop action pianos, for small grands while retaining desirable ice qualities of touch, freedom of action and uniformity of action.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a piano key action which is compact, simple to construct and free from likelihood of operating difficulties.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view of a practice instrument embodying the main features of the present invention, in closed condition;

FIG. 1A is a view in perspective of the practice instrument of FIG. 1, in open condition for use;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and which is particularly suitable for the actuation of switch operators in an electric organ;

PEG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the key actuator with apparatus for transposing from one key to anot er key, and shown in one position;

FIG. 4- is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the effect of striking one of the keys;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the keyboard elevated for separation of the key system for movement;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the piano action shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectioal view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 7-'7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing another preferred form of transposing equipment;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing the apparatus in position for shifting the keyboard for key transposition;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 but showing the keys connected for direct action; and

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the location of the pivot points for actuation.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 1A of the drawings, the practice instrument there shown includes an outer casing 15 having a bottom Wall or base 16, a rear wall 17, end walls 18, a front base strip 19, together with a top hinged lid 20 carried by hinges 21, and having a front downwardly extending strip 22 for closing the remaining portion of the front of the casing 15.

A plurality of keys are provided including white keys 25 and black keys 26 of any preferred number in accordance with the desired range of the practice instrument. The white keys 25 and the black keys 26 are mounted in a similar manner and the mounting for this purpose includes for each key 25 and 26 a front guide pin 27 carried by the base 16 and extending upwardly into a front guide pin transverse slot or opening 28 in each of the keys 25 and 26. The openings 28 have considerable clearance with respect to the pins 27 to avoid binding. The mounting for each of the keys 25 and 26 also preferably includes a central guide pin 29 carried by the base purposes.

2 16, and similar to the pin 27, and a central guide pin opening 30, similar to the opening 28.

The mounting for each of the keys and 26 further includes a restoring spring 31 of wire or the like in the shape of a pigtail, and having one end inserted from below into each of the keys 25 and 2 6, and the other end inserted in the base 16.

The mounting for each of the keys 25 and 26 further includes a cam slot 33 near the rear end of each of the keys 25 and 26 and a cam plate 34 mounted at one end in the base 16 and extending upwardly into the cam slot 33.

It will be noted'that the cam slot 33 and the cam plate 34 each have a curvature complemental in shape and of an extended radius of curvature dependent on the simulated effective length of key desired.

The base 16 can be provided with a pad extending therealong against which the keys strike on downward actuation thereof. A stop bar 32 can be provided for preventing displacement of the keys 25 and 26 and placing undue strain on the springs 31 if the casing 15 is turned upside down.

Referring now more particularly to PEG. 2, a key 125 is there shown similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1, but having a wider range of usefulness. This key 125 may be employed for a variety of purposes and is particularly advantageous in its application to musical instruments having keyboards, such as pianos, electric organs, accordians and for portable practice devices and for other The key 125, which may be taken as representative of either a white or a black key, has a front guide pin 127 extending into a front guide pin opening 128 therein. The guide pin 127 is mounted in the base or frame 116 of the instrument. Intermediate the ends of the key 125, a spring mounting is provided, including a restorin spring 131 of pigtail shape having an upper end extending into the base of the key 125 and having the lower end extending into an adjusting block 40. The adjusting block 4t is pivotally mounted on a base block 41 carried on the base 116 of the instrument and can be adjusted by a screw 42 which extends through the base block 41 and engages an inclined face 43 of the adjusting block 4i).

To the rear of the restoring spring E31, a guide or cam slot 133 is provided, in the interior of the key 125, extending upwardly from the bottom thereof and may have a wear insert 44 therein with an arcuate interior shape for earning action. Mounted in the base 115 of the instrument a guide cam plate 134 is provided which can extend entirely across the keyboard and extends into the inserts 44 and is complementally shaped with respect thereto, and with a radius of curvature dependent upon the simulated length of key desired. A stop bar 152 can be provided for limiting undesired upward movement of the keys 125 and 126.

At the rear end of the key 125 an operator is mounted which may be a screw 45 in threaded engagement in the key 125, adjustable vertically as desired, and which is connected to or operates an electric organ switch operator 46 or any other desired key operated musical producing device.

The transposition of the notation of a musical composition to a different key from that in which it is written is frequently desirable for a variety of important reasons. In order to transpose music each note must be at a fixed distance higher or lower, in order to present the same position in the new scale. The operation may present a difficult and time consuming operation. The importance of transposition to composers, students and teachers, and vocal performers, requires no discussion.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 to 7, inclusive, of the drawings in which the invention is shown in particular relation to piano operation and further in connection with structure for shifting the keys for installation and maintenance and to transpose from one A key to another, the longitudinally extending bottom or base 216 has a key pin rail 5t) slidably mounted thereon by guide rails 51 inwardly of the front base strip 219.

The key pin rail 59 has a plurality of horizontally spaced front guide pins 227 mounted thereon each carrying a key pad 235.

White keys 225 and black keys 226 are provided each having front guide pin slots 28 for the reception of the guide pins 227. Each of the keys 22,5 and 226 has a vertically extending key plate 52 with an upper slot 53 and a lower slot 54. The slots 53 and 54 are arcuate and with the radius of curvature dependent on the desired simulated effective length of key. The radiu for the black keys 226 is such as to compensate for the different exposed lengths and the different corresponding set back position of the fulcrum on any corresponding single key and the connection to the key operated mechanism, and accordingly can be equal to, greater than, or less than that for the white keys 225.

An upper horizontal key rod 55 and lower horizontal key rod as are provided supported from key rod support bars 58 which are carried by the rail 54). A horizontal bar 57 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) has forwardly extending key plate guides 57:! secured thereto and supported by engagement with the key plates 52. Tie rods 5) connect and hold the rods 55 and 56 in spaced relation and engage the bars 58 at spaced locations.

Each of the key plates 52 has a key plate pin 6%? adjustably secured therein, the head of which is adapted to engage a wedge block 61. The block 61 has an extension arm 62 slidably mounted in a holding clip 63 on an operating lever 64. The block 61 is adjustable with respect to the lever 64 by a screw 65 engaged with a bracket 66 on the block 61. The lever 64 is pivotally mounted on an upright 6'7 to which one end of a restoring spring 68 is connected. The other end of the spring 68 engages the outer end of the lever 64 and urges it upwardly. The lever 64 has a lever extension 69 connected thereto by a stud 7% for sidewise adjustment, as desired, of the free end. The lever extension 69 has a pin 71 adjustably mounted therein for engagement with the whippen or hammer operating mechanism 72. The up right 67 is mounted on a horizontal frame rail 73 on which a rest bar 74 is carried.

A horizontal lift rod 75 is provided for retaining all the keys 225 and 226 in an elevated position by engaging the undersides thereof. The rod 75 has a central lift arm 76 pivoted on the key pin rail 5t and movable from the lowered position shown in FIG. 3 to the lifting posiiton shown in FIG. 5. The lift arm '76 has a rack 77 connected thereto and swingable into and out of engagement with a rack actuating gear 73 to which a manual actuating knob 79 is connected by a shaft 80.

The position of the lift rod 75 is controlled by a push rod 81 connected by a link 82 to an actuator rod 83 connected to a foot pedal 84 for actuation. The rod 83 has a lifting arm 85 connected thereto with a transverse portion 86 which engages the undersides of the lever extensions 69 for simultaneously raising all the lever extensions 69 and swinging the blocks 61 downwardly out of engagement with the key plate pins as to permit shifting of the keys 225 and 2 26, their key plates 52 and the key pin rail 56 with respect to the wedge blocks 61.

An indexing plate 87 carried by the key pin rail 50 has key indicating indicia thereon for selective alignment with a viewing opening 88 in the front base strip 219.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings in which the invention is shown in connec tion with another form of key transposing mechanism, but with key mountings similar to FIG. 2, the longitudinally extending bottom or base 316 has a key pin rail 350 slidably mounted thereon by guide rails 351 from which spaced screws 90 extend through slots 91, into the base 316.

The key pin rail 350 has front guide pins 127 thereon for each of the white and black keys, such as the keys 125, which extend into front guide pin slots 128. A key spring mounting is provided which includes a restoring spring 131 of pigtail shape having an upper end extending into the base of the key 125 and the lower end extending into an adjusting block 40. The block 40 is pivotally mounted on a base block 41 carried on the rail 350 with an adjusting screw 42 engaging the inclined face 43 of the block 40'.

A guide or cam slot 133 in the interior of each of the keys 125 can have a wear insert 44 therein. A guide cam plate 134 which may extend entirely across the keyboard or which may be separately provided for each key 125 is mounted on the key pin rail 350 for each of the keys with the wear inserts 44 and cam plate 134 having radii of curvature as referred to above. The cam plates 134 in the form of individual plates or rods have their inserts 44 in enclosing relation thereto to prevent sidewise displacement of the keys 125.

The rear ends of the keys 125 have actuator pins 92, adjustable in length, engaged with slots 93 lined with wear resistant material. The pins 92 are limited in their forward swinging movement by brackets 94. The pins 92 are pivotally mounted on levers 364 which are pivotally mounted on uprights 367 and have pins 371, adjustable in length, carried thereon for actuating the whippen or hammer operator 72 or other sound initiating device.

A supporting arm 95 can be provided for engaging each of the levers 364. The arm 95 can be carried on a control block 96 pivotally mounted on the base 316 and having an inclined face 97 for engagement by an actuating shaft 98 also mounted in the base 316. The shaft 98 has a gear 99 with an actuating key 105 for engagement with the gear 99 to drive a rack 100 carried by the key pin rail 350. The shaft 98 is positioned by a movable control plate 101 having a movable shaft rotating handle 102 carried thereon, so that upon rearward movement of the plate 101 the key 105 is engaged with the gear 99 which meshes with the rack 100 and the end 'of the shaft 90 engages the face 97 of the control block 96 to disconnect the pins 92 from their engagement with the rear ends of the keys 125. The handle 102 permits turning of the shaft 98 for key transposition. A positioning socket 103 of resilient material can be provided in the base 316 for selective engagement by a positioning enlargement 104 on the shaft 98.

The key pin rail 350 can be provided with an indexing plate 87, and the front base strip 319 can have an indicia viewing opening 88 therein.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the key mounting is similar to that previously described but is connected for direct actuation of a hammer operator 72 or the like.

The key 125, at the rear end, has an actuating rod 492 pivotally connected to the lever 464. The lever 464 is mounted on an upright 467 and a disconnect rod 106 is connected to a control block 496.

The lever 464 has a pin 471 adjustable in length, for actuating the whippen or hammer operator 472.

The pivotally mounted control block 496 is moved upon outward movement of the shaft 98 to shift the control block 496 and the rod 106 carried thereby to disconnect position.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the action for different key pivoting positions is illustrated, this also showing the curve required for the cam plate 34 or 134 and similarly shaped cam slot 33 or 133, dependent upon the radius selected for control of the key movement.

It is highly desirable, and particularly for compact designs, that in the key movement both the pitch of the keys and the dip thereof correspond to concert type instruments. In smaller pianos, the keys usually are pivoted very close to the exposed portions, and the point A can be taken as illustrative of such a pivot point location. If the exposed portion of the key be taken as to the left of the point marked Z, then the movement of the key from the position XA to the position YA can be taken as indicating the key movement. Not only will there be an undesirable pitch to be accommodated, but the shorter radius also adversely affects the touch. The curve ZA shows the shape of the curve which would be employed if this were used for the curvature of the cam slot 33 or 133 and of the cam plate or pin 34 or 134.

The point B shows the pivot point for another typical piano heretofore available with the key motion from XB to Y B, and with ZB showing the cam curvature to provide a corresponding action.

The point C represents the pivot point for a concert grand piano, and it will be seen that the movement from XC to YC is close to parallel so that for a comparable downward movement of the key there is considerably less twist. The variation in touch upon downward movement at any location from front to back of the key is relatively small. The curve ZC represents the curve to be used for cam curvature to give the same effect as that for the relatively long key of a concert grand piano. With the present key motion control it is possible even to go beyond the elongated effect of the concert type piano by selecting a curvature such as that at 21). The key action of a concert grand type piano can thus be made available in a very restricted space without reduction of dip, with the touch or force required to depress the key substantially uniform over the exposed length of the key and with close to parallel downward movement available and accommodated for transfer as desired to the whippen, or to electric or other organ operating mechanism.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out, reference being had first to FIGS. 1 and 1A.

With the lid in open position the keys and 26 are accessible for practice actuation. Upon striking any of the keys 25 and 26, the same will be depressed, guided by the engagement of the cam slot 33 with the cam plate 34 and against the force of the restoring spring 31. The path of movement will be controlled and determined by the radius of curvature of the cam slot 33 and the cam plate 34. The spring 31 returns the keys 25 and 26, when released, to their initial positions.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the operation is similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 1A in that upon depression of any of the keys 125 and 126, the same moves downwardly about its predetermined fulcrum and as controlled by the radius of curvature of the cam slot 133 and the cam plate 13-4. Downward movement of any of the keys 125 and 126 is effective through the operator to the switch operator 46. The action of the restoring spring 131 for initial leveling of any of the keys 125 and 126 can be adjusted by movement of the adjusting screw 42.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 7, inclusive, and assuming the keys 225 and 226 to be at a predetermined setting which can be taken as the usual alignment to operate the piano or organ mechanism, the keys 225 and 226 will be in the positions shown in FIG 3.

If now a key, such as the key 225, is struck, it can be depressed to a position as shown in FIG. 4. Downward movement, guided by the engagement of the rods and 56 in the slots 53 and 54 of the key plate 52, is related to the predetermined fulcrum, and accordingly, by the radius of the slots 53 and 54. Upon downward movement of the key 225, the key plate pin by its engagement with the wedge block 61, urges the block 61 and the lever 64 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. This movement, against the force of the restoring spring 68, moves the lever extension 69 upwardly to cause the pin 71 to operate the hammer operator 72.

It will be noted that the swingable mountings of the lever extensions 69 by the studs permit accommodation to the spacing of the hammer operators 72. (See FIG 6.)

arrange Upon completion of the striking of any of the keys 2-25 and 226, they are restored to their initial positions by the springs 68.

If now it is desired to effect a key transposition, say,

from the key of C to the key of B, the foot pedal 84 is depressed to raise the activator rod 83 and move the push rod 81 to its forward position. Upward movement of the rod 83 brings the transverse portion 86 thereof to raise the lever extension 69, thereby separating the blocks 61 from the pins 61 to provide a clearance. (See FIG. 5.) Forward movement of the push rod 81 also causes the lift arm 76 to swing about its pivot on the key pin rail 50 and provide a support along the lift rod 75 for the front portions of the keys 225 and 226 in level poistions. At the same time the rack 77 is moved to engage the gear 73. Upon turning of the knob 79, the key assembly can be moved to the right or left as seen from the front thereof. The guide rails 51 maintain the front to back alignment of the key pin rail 50. The appropriate indicia on the indexing plate 87 is brought into alignment with the viewing opening 88. For transposition to the key of B, the movement, as seen in FIG. 6, would be to the right.

When the desired sii t of the key assembly has been accomplished by turning of the knob 7?, the foot pedal 84 is released to permit the activator rod 83 to drop, lower its lifting arm 85, and retract the push rod 81 so that the lift rod 75 returns to its initial position.

The rack 77 will be freed from engagement with the gear 78.

In the new position the keys 225 and 226 can be actuated as previously explained, but their respective actuating pins 69 will engage the blocks 61 to which they have been transversely shifted to accomplish the key transposition.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation of the levers 3:64 and their pins 371 from the keys 125 will be similar to that previously described with the keys 125 "having a controlled movement determined by the radius of curvature of the cam slot 133 and the cam plate 134.

For key transposition, the control plate 1%]. is moved rearwardly to engage the key 195 in the gear 199. Rearward movement of the shaft 98 moves the control block 96 and the arm 95 extending therefrom to positions to permit the lever 364 to swing to disengage the pins 92. Upon turning of the handle 132 to rotate the shaft 93, the key pin rail 356 and key assembly is moved to the right or left, as seen from the front, to bring the keys 125 to their new positions for the desired key transposition. When the shift has been completed, the shaft 98 is moved forwardly to release the levers 364 and engage the pins 92 with the keys 125 now in alignment therewith.

Referring now to FlG. 10, the key operation of the keys 125 and 126 is like that previously described except the movement of the keys is transferred through the actuating rods 492 to the levers 464 and through the pins 471 to the hammer operating mechanism 72 or the like.

For key transposition the lever 464 is moved to its inactive position with the rods 492 disengaged from the keys 125 and 126 by rearward movement of the shaft 98 and actuation of the disconnect rod 106. The shaft 98 can then be turned as before to shift the key assembly to the desired extent to either side.

Upon completion of the transposition shift, the shaft 98 can be moved forwardly to its prior position and the keys 125 and 126 are reconnected for use.

It will thus be seen that a piano key action, and key action system have been provided with which the objects of the invention are attained.

I claim:

1. In a key action, a base, a key, and interengaging members on said base and said key controlling the movement of said key upon striking thereof, at least one of said members having a curved cam portion providing with the other a simulated fulcrum for said key rearwardly of said key, the location of the center of curvature of said cam portion providing the location of said simulated fulcrum and determining the path of movement of said key.

2. A key action as defined in claim 1 in which a restoring member is connected to said key for urging said key to a predetermined initial position. v I

3. A piano key action as defined in claim 1 in which the cam portion on one of said interengaging members is an upright plate carried by said key, said cam portion on said plate includes arcuate slots, and the other of said members includes rods supported on said base and engaging said slots. p

4. A piano key action as defined in claim 1 in which the cam portion of one of said intereng'ag'ing members is a cam member carried by said base, and the other of said members has a complemental opening in said key with which said cam member engages. v

5. A piano key action as defined in claim 1 in which a restoring spring is provided having one end engaged with said key and the other end adjustably mounted on said base. 7

6. In a piano key action, a base, a plurality of piano keys, interengaging members on said base and on said keys rearwardly of the centers of said keys at least one of which has a cam portion providing a mounting simulating a mounting rearwardly of said key, actuator members operated by each of said keys, and key transposing devices comprising members for separating said keys and said operators, and members for shifting said keys sidewise with said keys and operators in separated positions.

7. A piano key action as defined in claim 6 in which said key transposing devices include members for holding said keys in a predetermined position for said shifting.

8. A piano key action as defined in claim 6 in which said key transposing devices include a rack with which said keys are movable and an operating gear with which said rack is engageable.

9. A piano key action as defined in claim 6 in which an indexing plate is provided movable sidewise with said sidewise shifting members, and a correlating device is provided coacting with said indexing plate.

10. A keyboard action comprising a casing having a bottom wall, a key, a curved cam plate carried by said bottom wall, the center of curvature of said cam plate providing a simulated fulcrum rearwardly of said key, said key having a curved slot with which said cam plate is slidably engaged, a restoring spring in engagement with the bottom of said key and said bottom Wall, and a guide pin carried by said base and extending into a guide slot in' said key.

11. A key action comprising a base, a key, a curved cam plate carried by said base, said key having a complementary opening in which said cam plate is movable, the curvature of said cam plate and opening providing a simulated'fulcrum rearwardly of said key, a key restoring member for said key, and an adjustable mounting member for saidrestoring member carried by said base.

12. A key action comprising a base, a key pin rail on said base, a key having an upright plate at the rear end thereof, said key pin rail having a guide pin extending upwardly therefrom and said key having a guide opening into which said pin extends, said plate having arcuate slots therein, spaced horizontal rods carried by said rail with which said slots are in engagement, the center of curvature of said slots providing a simulated fulcrum rearwardly of said key, a lever mounted on a horizontal pivot, and actuator between said key and said lever, and a member responsive to movement of said lever.

13. A key action as defined in claim 12 in which said lever has a horizontally adjustable rear portion mounted thereon by a vertical securing member.

14. A key action as defined in claim 12 in which a memher is provided for moving said lever to an inoperative position with respect to said key.

15. A key action as defined in claim 12 in which a member is provided for moving said lever to an inoperative position with respect to said key and a member is provided for sidewise shifting of said key.

16. A key action as defined in claim 12 in which a member is provided for moving said lever to an inoperative position with respect to said key, and a member is provided for simultaneous movement into supporting relation to said key.

17. A key action as defined in claim 12 in which a re storing spring is provided in engagement with said lever.

18. A key action as defined in claim 12 in which said lever has an adjustably positioned portion for engagement of said actuator.

19. A key action comprising in combination, a key having a length substantially that which is designed to be played upon, and including means for determining the movement thereof precisely simulating that of an extended key, said means including a member having a curved guide surface with a center of curvature providing a simulated fulcrum rearwardly of said key, and a key positioning determining member engaging said surface.

20. A key action system comprising in combination, a key having a length substantially that which is designed to be played upon and including means for determining the movement thereof for simulating that of an extended key, said means including a member having a curved guide surface with a center of curvature providing a simulated fulcrum rearwardly of said key and a key position determining member a key actuated member, and adjustit) i I able operating members interposed between said key and said key actuated member.

21. A key action system defined in claim 20 in which said key actuated member is a sound producing device.

22. A key action system as defined in claim 28 in which said operating members and said key have separating members therebetween.

23. A piano key action system comprising in combination, a plurality of keys each having a length substantially that which is designed to be played upon, and means including cam and guide devices for determining the movement thereof for previsely simulating that of an extended key, said cam and guide devices including a portion having a curved guide surface with a center of curvature providing a simulated fulcrum rearwardly of said key.

Reierences Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 52,892 2/ 66 Schuyler. 206,345 7/78 Milliken 84-447 426,031 4/ 9O Marcy 84447 750,083 1/04 Brady 84-447 1,773,236 8/30 l-/'9.lCll6 84435 2,213,087 8/ 4O Hagstrom 84-447 2,467,495 4/49 Pond 84-435 2,700,914 2/ 5 5 Barnett 84423 LEYLAND M. MARTIN, Primary Examiner.

E0 SMELQW, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFlCE 1 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,173,529 March 16, 1965 Edward R. Camillucci It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 54, for "coorespond" read correspond column 2, line 32, for "sectioal" read sectional column 9, line 14, for "of" read by column 10, line 12, for "previsely" read precisely Signed and sealed this 27th day of July 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Aitesting Officer Commissioner of Patents UNITED STATES PATENT oFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CQRRECTION Patent No 3 ,l75,529 March 16, 1965 Edward R. Camillucci It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 54, for "coorespond" read correspond column 2, line 32, for "sectioal" read sectional column 9, line 14, for "of" read by column 10, line 12, for "previsely" read precisely Signed and sealed this 27th day of July 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Arresting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A KEY ACTION, A BASE, A KEY, AND INTERENGAGING MEMBERS ON SAID BASE AND SAID KEY CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID KEY UPON STRIKING THEROF, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING A CURVED CAM PORTION PROVIDING WITH THE OTHER A SIMULATED FULCRUM FOR SAID KEY REARWARDLY OF SAID KEY, THE LOCATION OF THE CENTER OF CURVATURE OF SAID CAM PORTION PROVIDING THE LOCATION OF SAID SIMULATED FLUCRUM AND DETERMINING THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID KEY. 